Friarage Northallerton May 2025 Hylton Photography36

Friarage Surgical Centre

Durable, high-quality healthcare doors for new NHS surgical facility

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Sector

Healthcare

Location

Northallerton

Project Value

£35.5m

Architect

Ryder Architecture

Main Contractor

Intergrated Health Projects

The brief was clear: create a welcoming, calming environment that meets the strict clinical demands of a modern surgical centre. Durability, hygiene, and aesthetics were paramount. SDS was engaged early in the project, providing specialist consultation and detailed door scheduling to ensure every product met the centre’s high standards.

About the project.

The Friarage Surgical Centre is a landmark development at Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, representing a major investment in modern healthcare infrastructure for the region. This new surgical hub, part of a £35.5 million NHS initiative, replaces ageing facilities with a purpose-built, state-of-the-art centre designed to double the hospital’s surgical capacity - from 5,000 to nearly 10,000 operations annually.

The centre features six main operating theatres, two minor theatres, and a dedicated surgical admissions and day hub, all aimed at delivering world-class care closer to home for local patients.

Friarage Northallerton May 2025 Hylton Photography

Dfendoor in Chalk and Cobble.

Lamdoor in American White Oak.

Shieldoor in Chalk and Cobble.

What our clients have to say.

“SDS supplied the doors for the new Friarage Surgical Centre, and the result speaks for itself. They look fantastic and really complement the high-quality finish of the building. Just as importantly, they’re clearly built to last. In a clinical environment like this, durability is key — and I’ve no doubt these doors will stand up to years of heavy use. SDS delivered a great product and was a solid part of the team throughout.”

Rob Lees Regional Associate Director, CCL Solutions

"Working with SDS has been a genuinely positive experience from start to finish. Working on the new Friarage Surgical Hub, we were faced with numerous technical challenges that needed prompt and expert attention, and the SDS team delivered exactly that.

They quickly understood the complexities of our project and provided clear, practical solutions that kept us on track and compliant. That level of service makes a real difference, especially in a fast-moving commercial environment. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them and look forward to working together on future projects."

Gareth Williams Senior Commercial Manager, Sir Robert McAlpine/Integrated Health Projects

"We recently worked with SDS on the Friarage Surgical Centre project and were really impressed with both the product and the support we received. The doors were straightforward to install, finished to a very high standard, and look great in the completed space. SDS went above and beyond to make the process smooth — providing free installer training and technical support whenever we needed it.

It’s clear they understand the practical side of installation as well as the clinical demands of a healthcare project. We’d be more than happy to work with SDS again and recommend them to others.”

Steve Hewitson Managing Director, Howell Cummings Joinery

Project delivery.

SDS worked closely with the architect, contractor, and NHS Trust from the earliest stages, ensuring every door was specified and delivered to exacting requirements, balancing stringent infection control and durability with a welcoming, non-institutional feel.

Well-defined specifications - including support with door scheduling and early consultation - helped streamline the process, contributing to smoother project delivery, cost efficiency and a timely completion.
A mix of finishes and colours, including Dfend Cobble, Chalk and American White Oak, were specified to complement the building’s high-quality interior while supporting the calming, patient-focused atmosphere.

Vision panels supplied in a mix of Clearglaze and Priviglaze. Bead types included timber hook beads, PVC-covered beads, and flush designs, allowing visual consistency while addressing accessibility and privacy needs.
Ironmongery was standardised across the project, ensuring reliable performance and simplifying maintenance requirements.
Fire-safety compliance was proactively ensured throughout specification. SDS also supplied screens that met a range of performance requirements including fire ratings, acoustic control, and, where needed, laser and lead shielding.

SDS Doorsets are built to withstand years of intensive use in a demanding clinical environment, while high-quality finishes enhance the overall look and feel of the new centre.

SDS healthcare doorsets supplied:

Key outcomes and benefits.

Doubled surgical capacity from 5,000 to 10,000 operations per year
Reduced patient waiting times and cancellations
Improved patient outcomes and safety
Early engagement and clear specifications (e.g., door scheduling) reduced uncertainty and rework
Enhanced staff recruitment and retention
Durable, low-maintenance doors reduce ongoing costs
Aesthetic, calming environment supports patient wellbeing
Efficient, collaborative delivery with minimal disruption
Positive community impact with improved access to local care

Summary.

The Friarage Surgical Centre project demonstrates SDS’s capability to deliver robust, attractive, and clinically sound door solutions for complex healthcare environments. Through early collaboration, technical expertise, and a focus on both durability and design, SDS played a key role in realising a facility that will serve the North Yorkshire community for decades to come.